FBI Fires Analysts Tied to Withdrawn Memo on Radical Catholic Ideology

FBI Director Kash Patel fired several Richmond-based FBI analysts tied to a rescinded 2023 memo that argued extremists were targeting radical traditionalist Catholics; the memo was withdrawn after an apology from then-Director Christopher Wray. A 2024 Justice Department inspector general review found significant analytical problems but no evidence of anti-Catholic bias. Republicans had criticized the memo and the FBI’s handling of it, while at least five analysts were reported to have been fired.